Human rights, climate change and cross-border displacement: the role of the international human rights community in contributing to effective and just solutions (original) (raw)
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2015
A C K U preface the links between climate change and human rights are more widely accepted than ever before. the Human rights council has adopted a series of resolutions calling attention to the effects of climate change on the full enjoyment of human rights, and the conference of the parties to the unFccc has also recognised that 'the adverse effects of climate change have a range of direct and indirect implications for the effective enjoyment of human rights.' While climate change impacts have implications for the human rights of individuals in all parts of the world, it is well established that the rights of those in already vulnerable situations are at particular risk. as sea levels rise and extreme weather events increase in frequency and magnitude, more and more people in such situations are expected to be displaced by disasters, some of them across international borders. and yet, despite a growing recognition of the human rights implications of climate change, including in the context of human displacement, and despite an understanding that adherence to international human rights commitments and principles can help to strengthen policymaking in response to global warming, relatively few concrete steps have been taken to bring a human rights perspective to climate negotiations. likewise, beyond expressing concern about a possible human rights protection gap for the increasing number of people who are expected to be displaced across borders in the context of climate change, the international community has not done enough to consider how to fill that gap. this report is an important step towards clarifying what un bodies can and should do to begin to safeguard human rights against the effects of climate change, including in the context of human displacement. John H Knox un special rapporteur on Human rights and the environment Henry c lauerman professor of international law Wake Forest university school of law © universal rights group 2015 acknowledgements the authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of a number of researchers who helped prepare this policy brief, including rebecca dowd, asu durmus, diya Jugessur and Kunal sharma.
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There have been many hot comments on the climate Agreement concluded in Paris in December 2015: In most cases, the opinions are favorable, but there are also some criticisms. It is important to maintain human rights at the core of climate action, but the Paris Agreement does not contain the provisions needed to tackle the human rights dimension of climate change and provide support for poorer countries whose capacities are strained by climate change impacts. Developed countries should seriously consider the issue of "climate refugees" and the scope thereof. In the last few years, several million people were forced to leave their homes because of floods, windstorms, earthquakes or other disasters caused by global warming. Nevertheless, the status of "climate refugee" is not yet recognized and leaves a legal loophole affecting victims that cannot benefit from such status.
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The impact of climate change on human rights is a serious worry for the global community and is receiving more attention from both policymakers and researchers. However, information in this sector is sparse and fragmented. In an effort to highlight the difficulties facing humanity due to climatic factors, this article examines the rising emphasis given to human rights principles. It examines the linkages between human rights and legal responses to climate change and argued that certain connections exist between the two. The extent to which the international system sufficiently safeguards the human rights of those who are negatively impacted by climate change is examined. In conclusion, it makes suggestions for enhancing the protection of human rights in the context of climate change.